It’s coming down to the wire, and six teams remain very much alive in the chase for the two spots in the one-game American League wild-card playoff. Check here every morning for the standings, schedule and scoop on the jam-packed AL wild-card race:

1. Rays (82-67)

Where they stand: In first wild-card position, 1.5 games up for playoff spot

Last night: Beat Rangers, 6-2, with a homer and three RBIs from rookie Wil Myers

Skinny: The Rays exceeded four runs for the third time since Aug. 27. If they begin to hit – and continue to get pitching performances like Alex Cobb’s 10-K gem Monday night – look out.

2. Rangers (81-68)

Where they stand: Slipped to second wild card, with half-game cushion

Last night: Lost to Rays, 6-2, as midseason acquisition Matt Garza allowed all six runs

Today: at Rays, 7:10 p.m., Hellickson (11-8) vs. Ogando (6-4)

Games remaining: 13 (at TB – 3; at KC – 3; vs. HOU – 3; vs. LAA – 4)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 46.4

Skinny: The 2011 Red Sox want their playbook back. The Rangers have lost seven straight, they’re 2-12 in September and now they’re on the brink of falling out of playoff position.

3. Indians (81-69)

Where they stand: Half-game out of wild card

Last night: Lost to Royals, 7-1, striking out a whopping 17 times

Today: at Royals, 8:10 p.m., Ventura (1st MLB start) vs. Kluber (9-5)

Games remaining: 12 (KC – 2; vs. HOU – 4; vs. CWS – 2; at MIN – 4)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 59.0

Skinny: The Indians squandered an opportunity to surpass Texas in the standings on Monday night. Consider this: They are 6-27 against the Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees; 75-42 against everyone else.

4. Orioles (79-70)

Where they stand: Two games out of second wild card

Yesterday: Off

Today: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., Dempster (8-9) vs. Feldman (5-4)

Games remaining: 13 (at BOS – 3; at TB – 4; vs. TOR – 3; vs. BOS – 3)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 6.6

Skinny: Buck Showalter’s club gained ground on its off day. In four career innings at Fenway Park, Orioles righty Scott Feldman has allowed 12 runs (six earned).

5. Yankees (79-71)

Where they stand: 2.5 games out of second wild card

Yesterday: Off

Today: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., Dickey (12-12) vs. Pettitte (10-9)

Games remaining: 12 (at TOR – 3; vs. SF – 3; vs. TB – 3; at HOU – 3)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 7.6

Skinny: A gray-flecked pitching matchup in Toronto, with 79 years and five top-five Cy Young finishes between Andy Pettitte and the ex-Met knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who owns a 3.22 ERA in 13 career appearances against the Yankees.

Skinny: Yordano Ventura makes his big league debut in the thick of a pennant race. The 22-year-old, 5-foot-11 righty from the Dominican Republic had 155 strikeouts in 134 2/3 combined innings this season at Double-A and Triple-A.